Pitch Black MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 Content: -2

A spaceship transporting a variety of people, including a violent prisoner, crashes on a desert-like planet with seemingly endless daylight from three suns. The survivors discover an abandoned camp from a geological survey, with a ship that might get them off the planet. But they also find some nasty bat-like aliens living in dark caves. It seems safe enough since the aliens cant stand light. However, the pilot Fry (Radha Mitchell) also discovers the planet is about to go into a prolonged eclipse which will plunge them all into darkness. Their only hope may be the prisoner, Riddick (Vin Diesel), whose eyes are altered to see in the dark. Can they survive both a known killer and the bats? This sc-fi thriller, reminiscent of the ALIEN films, will mainly draw gore fans.

Although seemingly less gory than recent entries in the genre, the film still has its share of gruesome images. After the ship crashes, a crewmember is shown with a metal pipe impaled in his chest. While investigating the disappearance of a survivor, his shoe with a bloody ankle stub is seen. In another scene, a bloody skull falls on the floor after an alien attack. In the usual turn-about, the prisoner Riddick appears to have some honor, while his captor is portrayed as a drug abusing mercenary. However, Fry demonstrates the most responsibility, willing to face death rather than leave anyone on the planet, even Riddick. One survivor is a Muslim man on a hajj, a required trip to a holy place in the Islamic religion. He frequently talks about Gods provision, although he refers to Allah. He also prays frequently and provides traditional burials for the dead. When offered alcohol, he cites his religion in refusing. Theres no sexual content but one scene reveals excessive cleavage on a woman. And the usual vulgar language frequently pollutes the dialogue. The positive traits shown by characters are overshadowed by negative elements in PITCH BLACK.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: USA Films, 9333 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 90210